KUALA LUMPUR — The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) has expressed serious concerns over the upcoming Rain Rave Water Festival 2026, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur.
In a statement, a MAIWP spokesperson emphasised that while efforts to boost the tourism and entertainment sectors in the Federal Territory are acknowledged, social harmony and well-being must remain a top priority.
“The Rain Rave Water Festival 2026 is deemed unsuitable for Kuala Lumpur, a city that serves as home to a diverse multi-racial and multi-religious community. Such an event would undoubtedly infringe upon the sensitivities of the local population,” the spokesperson said.
MAIWP further noted that the festival does not align with the Eastern values and customs that form the core of Malaysian society.
“An open-air ‘rave’ entertainment concept involving water activities is seen as an excess that could lead to free mixing and immoral behaviour. This stance is consistent with the Bayan Linnas Series 351: Rain Rave Water Music Festival 2026, which notes that such festivals are often associated with elements that raise concerns regarding values, etiquette, and Shariah principles,” the spokesperson added.
As the trustee of Islamic affairs in the Federal Territory, MAIWP stressed its moral responsibility to ensure the capital city does not become a venue for activities that could erode the moral fabric and character of the younger generation.
The council urged the organisers to be more responsible by selecting forms of entertainment that are beneficial and do not trigger polemics capable of disrupting social harmony. —Bernama
